Climate Change Impacts and Adapting to Change

The changing climate impacts society and ecosystems in a broad variety of ways. For example climate change can increase or decrease rainfall, influence agricultural crop yields, affect human health, cause changes to forests and other ecosystems, or even impact our energy supply. Climate-related impacts are occurring across regions of the country and across many sectors of our economy. Many state and local governments are already preparing for the impacts of climate change through "adaptation," which is planning for the changes that are expected to occur.

Explore the impacts of climate change and adaptation efforts by region or by sector.

Impacts and Adaptation by Region

Northwest

Forests, agriculture, and wildlife, such as salmon are likely to be threatened by higher temperatures, changing streamflows, and an increasing presence of pests and disease. Sea level rise is projected to increase coastal erosion and loss of beaches.

Great Plains

Projected increases in temperature and more frequent droughts will further stress the region’s primary water supply, the Ogallala aquifer. Changes in water availability are likely to have impacts on agriculture and habitats.

Southeast

Coastal communities in the Southeast will likely face sea level rise, increased hurricane intensity, and storm surge. Higher temperatures will likely affect the growth and productivity of crops and forests in the region.

Northeast

More frequent heat waves in the Northeast are expected to increasingly threaten human health. Farms and fisheries will likely face increasing problems with productivity, potentially damaging livelihoods and the regional economy.

U.S. Tropical Islands

Sea level rise could threaten the freshwater supplies, ecosystems, and infrastructure of U.S. tropical islands. Coral reefs, which have already been harmed by pollution, are likely to be further stressed as the ocean warms and becomes more acidic.

Ecosystems

Climate change can alter where species live and how they interact, which could fundamentally transform current ecosystems. Mountain and arctic ecosystems and species are particularly sensitive to climate change.

Forests

Climate change will likely alter the frequency and intensity of wildfires and insect outbreaks in forests. Productivity of forests could be affected by changes in temperature, precipitation, and the amount of carbon dioxide in the air.

International

Many people in developing countries are more vulnerable to climate change impacts than people in developed countries. Impacts across the globe can have national security implications for the United States and other nations.

Transportation

Coasts

Warmer and more acidic oceans are likely to disrupt coastal and marine ecosystems. Climate change could put additional stress on coastal areas, which are already stressed by human activity, pollution, invasive species, and storms.

Energy

Climate change is likely to increase demands for cooling in the summer and decrease demands for heating in the winter. Sea level rise and more frequent intense storms could disrupt energy production and delivery.

Health

Warming is likely to worsen conditions for air quality and increase the risk of heat-related illnesses. Increases in the frequency and strength of extreme events (such as floods, droughts, and storms) are likely to threaten safety and health.